The mosaic depicting the Tree of Life in the Cathedral of Otranto, in Puglia, will be the symbol of the Italian Pavilion at the Universal Exposition 2015.
Expo 2015 will be hosted by Milan, Italy, from May 1st to October 31st. The Universal Exposition 2015 will be held under the theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’, developing the topics of food healthiness and sufficiency in the light of global concerns about the quality and quantity of food in the world.
The tree of Life
The Tree of Life, the main depiction of the Otranto’s Cathedral mosaic, was chosen by Expo 2015’s organisers as the central icon of the Italian Pavilion.
Being one of the most mysterious monuments in the historic and artistic heritage of Italy, the Tree of Life represents the primordial nature. It is also a symbol of femininity and generating forces. Are you intrigued to know more about it?
History
Let’s deepen a bit in its history, dating back to the 12th century. The mosaic was created by a group of artists led by a Basilian monk called Pantaleone. It was commissioned by the bishop of Otranto between 1163 and 1165. Covering almost the whole pavement of the Cathedral of Otranto, it is considered one of the most important medieval mosaics in Italy.
The Cathedral of Otranto
The mosaic masterpiece shows some scenes from the Old Testament as well as chivalric cycles and medieval figures of bestiaries. The magnificent Tree of Life is in the centre of the mosaic picture, starting from its inferior part and almost reaching its top. Although many theologians have tried to decipher the mosaic, its interpretation still remains a bewildering enigma.
In fact, the absence of the New Testament representations is very strange for a Christian church. The depiction of scenes from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, made before the Italian literature masterpiece was written, gives the art piece an aura of mystery. The cabalistic elements in the mosaic make it even more esoteric and occult. That’s why this intricate mix of baffling elements, hold in the most famous Apulian mosaic, attracts a huge attention among people from the whole world.
And its Mosaic…
The Cathedral of Otranto itself is a perfect frame for this piece of art. It harmoniously combines Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine styles with elements of Baroque and Renaissance. Apart from the mosaic pavement, it is renowned for the Byzantine-style frescoes on its walls, the 11th century crypt of great historical and artistic value and the relics of the 813 citizens beheaded after refusing to convert to Islam in 1480, when an Ottoman fleet disembarked in a bay close to Otranto. In all respects, the cathedral and its mosaic are truly one of the most enigmatic and enchanting treasures left by humanity, which are worth being known in the whole world.
And Expo 2015 will be a great opportunity to promote the extraordinary cultural heritage of Otranto, as more than 130 countries and plenty of world organizations are expected to participate. It will indeed become an international showcase for the city as well as for the Apulia region in general.
If you want to visit this fantastic Cathedral or Otranto, book one of our gorgeous villas in Puglia.